Phylogenetics supporting biocontrol research

Invasive weeds cause economic damage to Australian agriculture, displace native vegetation, and require expensive management actions.

Biological control (biocontrol) is an efficient means of reducing weed impacts by releasing an insect or pathogen to attack them. Perhaps the best Australian example is the control of prickly pear with Cactoblastis moth, which was released in 1926.

To ensure that biocontrol agents do not cause collateral damage to native flora, researchers subject them to careful host specificity tests. The design of these tests requires knowledge of the closest native relatives of the target weed, because those are more likely to be palatable to the agent than distant relatives.

We support biocontrol research conducted by CSIRO Health & Biosecurity through our specimen collections, taxonomic expertise, and phylogenetic analysis. Our collaboration resulted not only in the publication of a proposed plant host test list for control agents of fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis), but in the discovery of a new genus of daisies as an unexpected side-effect.

Currently, we are building an analysis and data visualisation pipeline to support biocontrol researchers in their risk assessments and experimental designs. In this, we are working with CSIRO Information Technology and Management and in consultation with Australian and overseas biocontrol researchers.